Saskatchewan voters once again wrapped the province in Conservative blue, returning every Conservative incumbent and pushing the party close to a clean sweep of the province’s 14 federal seats.
The province, which lost a seat in the latest redistribution, has chosen Conservative majorities in every federal vote since 2004.
Only a handful of urban ridings in Regina and the northern constituency of Desnethe—Missinippi—Churchill River have bucked the pattern in recent years.
Results show Conservatives winning or leading in 13 ridings, leaving only the northern seat in Liberal hands.
Former provincial cabinet minister Buckley Belanger captured Desnethe—Missinippi—Churchill River for the Liberals, holding off Conservative challenger and former Sask Party MLA Jim Lemaigre and the NDP’s Doug Racine.
Everywhere else, familiar Conservative names either coasted to victory or built strong leads as counting continued.
In Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake, two-term MP Rosemarie Falk breezed past Liberal Larry Ingram.
The story was the same in Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, where veteran MP Kelly Block shut the door on Liberal newcomer Katelyn Zimmer.
Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan stayed firmly Conservative as incumbent Fraser Tolmie beat out Liberal Tabitha Mukamusoni.
Long-time Conservative MP Randy Hoback also held Prince Albert, beating Liberal Christopher Hadubiak.
In the Regina region, Conservatives held commanding positions in all three seats.
Andrew Scheer, a former party leader, easily kept Regina—Qu’Appelle.
Warren Steinley was leading in Regina—Lewvan, and Michael Kram held a narrow but steady edge in the tight Regina—Wascana toss-up against Liberal Jeffrey Walters.
The Saskatoon area delivered more good news for the Conservatives.
Brad Redekopp locked down Saskatoon West, Kevin Waugh held Saskatoon South, and Corey Tochor maintained control of Saskatoon—University.
Rural ridings followed the familiar pattern.
Steven Bonk kept Souris—Moose Mountain blue, Jeremy Patzer defended Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, and Cathay Wagantall held onto Yorkton—Melville.
If the late-night trend in Regina—Wascana holds, Conservatives will finish the night with 13 Saskatchewan seats.
Even if the Liberals steal one seat in Regina, the province will still be painted overwhelmingly blue.
Saskatchewan continues to shun the Liberal red and it will be interesting to see how Mark Carney handles a province where his party only holds one seat.
Official results will be finalized once mail-in ballots and special polls are counted, but for now Saskatchewan remains a sea of blue.
